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Three men on trial over child sex abuse | Three men on trial over child sex abuse |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Two brothers and a family friend have gone on trial accused of multiple serious sex offences against children, including rape. | Two brothers and a family friend have gone on trial accused of multiple serious sex offences against children, including rape. |
It is alleged the offences took place during the 1990s. | It is alleged the offences took place during the 1990s. |
The three men, who cannot be named for legal reasons, face a total of 56 charges including rape, gross indecency, sexual assault and cruelty. | The three men, who cannot be named for legal reasons, face a total of 56 charges including rape, gross indecency, sexual assault and cruelty. |
On Tuesday, a court was told that a card game was used to determine who would abuse the children first. | On Tuesday, a court was told that a card game was used to determine who would abuse the children first. |
The victims, who are siblings, reported the abuse to police in 2012. | The victims, who are siblings, reported the abuse to police in 2012. |
They allege it was carried out by their father, uncle and a family friend over a prolonged period. | |
The court was told that the father of the two victims began the abuse before involving other men. | The court was told that the father of the two victims began the abuse before involving other men. |
The three defendants cannot be identified in order to protect their alleged victims. | |
The court will hear from one victim that, on one occasion, eight or nine men were involved in the abuse during parties at the family home, the prosecution said. | |
Outlining the case, the prosecution warned the jury that during the trial they will hear harrowing details. | |
On the opening day of the trial the court heard from one of the alleged victims. | |
He said he was abused between the ages of seven and 11. | |
He described in graphic detail alleged sexual encounters with the man he referred to as his "biological father". | |
He also said he was physically abused, including having a cigarette stubbed out on his hand and being forced to drink water from a pint glass until he could not breathe. | |
Under cross-examination, a defence lawyer asked the alleged victim about when he first reported the abuse. | |
He said he had indicated that it was going on to Social Services, but nothing was done about it. | |
The lawyer responded: "Isn't it the case that they didn't believe you?" | |
He added: "I have to put it to you that none of this happened." | |
The alleged victim, who no longer lives in Northern Ireland, said he could not agree with that. | |
The defence are due to continue their questioning on Wednesday and it is expected that the other victim will take the stand. | |
The trial is expected to last up to six weeks. | The trial is expected to last up to six weeks. |
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